BillOfSaleNow

What Paperwork Do I Need to Sell a Car?

Most private sales require the title, a bill of sale, and sometimes an odometer disclosure form.

Common Documents Needed

Why This Matters

Having the right paperwork protects you if the buyer delays transferring the title.

How to create a bill of sale

  1. Gather title and vehicle information.
  2. Complete and sign the bill of sale.
  3. Record the sale price and date.
  4. Keep copies for both parties.

Frequently asked questions

What paperwork is typically required to sell a car?

Title, bill of sale, and sometimes an odometer disclosure form.

Is a bill of sale required?

Some states require it. Even when optional, it is strongly recommended.

What should the bill of sale include?

Buyer and seller names, VIN, sale price, sale date, and signatures.

Generate the Bill of Sale

Create a signed bill of sale in minutes and download the PDF.

Create Bill of Sale

Related resources

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA